MARK VIDUKA'S return to fitness and form for his country has given Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren a selection dilemma he is relishing.

Having signed Aiyegbeni Yakubu in the summer for £7.5m McClaren will return from England duty on Thursday faced with a difficult decision.

Yakubu is one of four forwards hoping to start against Portsmouth on Saturday - a game in which the boss could opt to play just one up front.

Having witnessed the Nigerian score two in the 3-2 win at Aston Villa nine days ago, McClaren is beginning to warm to the idea of playing with a lone front-man on a regular basis.

Viduka, whose last game was the UEFA Cup first leg victory over Xanthi in September, scored for Australia on Sunday in his first appearance since picking up an Achilles problem.

Now the 30-year-old wants to prove his worth at club level again by starting against Portsmouth on Saturday - when Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Massimo Maccarone are also hoping to play.

If McClaren decides to stick with one striker then neither are likely to start against Pompey.

But the fact that Maccarone has worked his way back into contention again is testament to the Italian whose career at the Riverside had looked over at one stage.

The £8.15m forward had looked destined to join Siena on a season long loan only for the deal to break down over a fee.

But Maccarone has returned and played his part in five of Boro's league games and appeared in the club's UEFA Cup matches.

And McClaren is just pleased to have so many striking options to choose from. "We will have to play all the strikers," he quipped. "I have the three of quality we have got, while Massimo has impressed everyone with his attitude.

"Physically and mentally, the way Massimo has gone about things has been fine. The fans have been impressed by his approach to the games he has played in. We knew he had improved and it's showing.

"It's also great to have so many options up there. We know whoever comes in will do a good job."

With another three forwards behind the initial quartet in the pecking order, there are players available on the transfer front.

Youngster Danny Graham is being tracked by a number of Championship clubs, keen to take him on loan.

Burnley have joined Cardiff, Crystal Palace and Derby in the hunt for Graham, who was in the England Under-20s side that drew 2-2 with Holland at the weekend.

Darlington, where he has played before, are admirers but Boro would prefer to see the striker play as high up the Football League as possible.

* Boro have announced ticket and travel details for their opening UEFA Cup group game away to Grasshoppers of Zurich, on October 20.

Boro have received an initial allocation of 2,024 tickets, priced £25 each (no concessions). A further allocation of 1,200 tickets is available if required.

Ticket applications are now being accepted, using a form available from mfc.co.uk or from the Riverside's main ticket office.

Fans interested in travelling to the game as part of the club's official fans' flight can register their interest now by leaving their name, address, passport number and season ticket patron number with MFC Travel in Captain Cook Square, Middlesbrough, by calling the TravelCare Sports hotline on 0870 112 0123 or by visiting their website at www.travelcaresports.com.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.